Since the 2015 opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, the Hokuriku area of Japan has been getting much more attention from tourists. Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is especially popular with its abundant nature and rustic environment.

It's a long-standing Japanese social custom to buy souvenirs for friends and colleagues during your travels. And if you're visiting Kanazawa, here are the sweet treats you need to bring back, including gilded cake!

Many tourists concentrate on the so-called 'Golden Route' connecting Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. But what do you do if you want to get off the principal tourist highway and see the best of the rest? Here are Japan's 21 best off-the-Golden-Route spots!

Before modern medicine was invented, onsen (hot springs) were revered as sacred places blessed with magical healing properties. During the Edo Period, sick patients would soak in the onsen for weeks to leave the pools feeling healthy and refreshed!

If you only have a limited time to explore Kanazawa, make the most of your trip by knowing all the must-try foods and must-do activities in this charming and historic town before you go. We'll break it down for each type of traveler out there.

Hokuriku has many quaint and historical places, including eye-filling viewing spots of cherry blossoms that have attracted a large number of international visitors. We're going to show you five of the top spots the region has to offer!